The Falls Church City Council gave a unanimous final approval to a new anti-predatory towing ordinance at its business meeting tonight. The ordinance requires photographic or other evidence of a violation, the posting of clear and uniform signage about the threat of towing in parking lots, and towing and storage fees limited to $100 and $40, respectively. Falls Church Deputy Police Chief Mary Gavin noted that the practice of predatory towing had “skyrocketed” in the City, requiring measures to constrain it limited by what state law permits. Predatory towing involves a towing company swiftly removing a vehicle within moments after an alleged violation. Gavin said that some voluntary agreements have also been secured whereby vehicles are not towed for about 30 minutes after a violation, but that the agreements remain only voluntary.

The Falls Church City Council gave a unanimous final approval to a new anti-predatory towing ordinance at its business meeting tonight. The ordinance requires photographic or other evidence of a violation, the posting of clear and uniform signage about the threat of towing in parking lots, and towing and storage fees limited to $100 and $40, respectively. Falls Church Deputy Police Chief Mary Gavin noted that the practice of predatory towing had “skyrocketed” in the City, requiring measures to constrain it limited by what state law permits. Predatory towing involves a towing company swiftly removing a vehicle within moments after an alleged violation. Gavin said that some voluntary agreements have also been secured whereby vehicles are not towed for about 30 minutes after a violation, but that the agreements remain only voluntary.

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